Longboat Key mayor requests more Manatee tax dollars

About one-third of the proposed infrastructure sales tax in Manatee County would come from tourists.

That’s a problem, because too little of that that money comes back to the tourism-driving barrier islands, according to a June 13 letter from Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan to County Commission Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh. In anticipation of a referendum implementing the half-cent sales tax, Duncan and mayors of Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Island and Holmes Beach have asked for 10% of potential funds to be set aside for their municipalities and others.

“Although we do get some additional funds from 5-cent local option feel tax, (the West Coast Inland Navigation District) and (Southwest Florida Water Management District) matching grants, most of our islands’ capital project revenue is raised through property taxes, which places the burden of maintaining, repairing and replacing infrastructure on our islands’ taxpayers,” the letter states. “Assuming that the Manatee County voters approve the referendum, we view the proposed infrastructure syntax as a way to alleviate the burden of our taxpayers by capturing a contribution from our visitors”

If that structure had been in place for the last two years, Longboat could have been eligible for more than $940,000 from the pool of surtax money. Manatee would have still have netted more than $42 million, according to a chart attached to the letter.

Under the current allocation method the County Commission is considering, Longboat would have only received about $350,000, or $170,000 per year said Town Manager Dave Bullock.

While the amount doesn’t seem like much considering the town’s proposed $93 million capital budget staff presented to commissioners last month, it would be a reliable source of revenue that would relieve some burden from taxpayers — who are currently on the hook for more than $49 million in utility undergrounding projects.

County coommissioners will decide whether to put the tax on the ballot June 21, at their regularly scheduled commission meeting at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. If approved, voters would decide whether to implement the tax.

County Administrator Ed Hunzeker has said the county has been relying on reserves from the housing boom a decade ago, and in 2018, will have to reduce services if funding needs aren’t addressed for aging infrastructure. A Citizens Financial Structure Advisory Board told commissioners in April the 0.5% sales tax, which would increase the county’s total sales tax to 7%, would be the most equitable way to fund the upkeep of aging infrastructure and other needs because it impacts all residents and tourists, not just property owners.

“We thank the Manatee County Board of Commissioners for your consideration of this request, and appreciate your understanding of the unique community stresses resulting from our successful tourists promotions,” the letter states.